Velvet Red Tart, soft and delicate as velvet

Hello, dear friends of this beautiful community. How have you been these past few days? Today I'm bringing you a cake whose name reminds me of an elegant and distinguished table: the Red Velvet Cake. I imagine myself enjoying tea with friends or at some special celebration, receiving a slice of Red Velvet , easily breaking it with a fork, and discovering that spongy, deep, deep red pastry.

Don't panic or change your blog; this unique and sophisticated cake

Go ahead and make it and then tell me how it goes! 

About the red velvet cake

What is red velvet cake?

Red velvet cake is a popular American dessert characterized by its distinctive dark red color and moist, fluffy texture. Its flavor? It's a blend of vanilla and cocoa, with a mild buttermilk flavor.

Red velvet cake is usually decorated with cream cheese , which gives it a sweet and creamy flavor, but it can also be decorated with meringue, whipped cream, or any other type of frosting. This cake is a delicious choice for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and parties.

Red Velvet cake gets its name from its characteristic deep red color , which is obtained by adding red food coloring to the cake batter.

I invite you to discover my best sweet cake recipes !

The story behind its name

While there isn't much certain information about the origin of its name, we do have a theory that suggests the name originated in the 1950s at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York , which served red velvet cake at its banquets.

It is said that the cake's fame spread quickly thanks to its distinctive color and soft, fluffy texture , and that people started calling it “red velvet cake” because of its velvet-like appearance.

Others suggest the name could be due to its slightly sweet and sour taste, which can be compared to the flavor of red wine. Which explanation is correct? It's difficult to say for now.

Despite the uncertainty about the origin of the name, what is clear is that red velvet cake is a popular and delicious dessert that is still highly appreciated today .

What should you keep in mind before making a red velvet cake?

Before preparing it, it is important to take into account the following aspects:

• Ingredients: Make sure you have all the necessary ingredients, including red food coloring, cocoa powder, buttermilk or milk with vinegar, flour, sugar, oil, eggs, and baking soda. Use high-quality ingredients for the best results.
• Ingredient Temperature: It's important that the ingredients are at room temperature before starting to prepare the cake, especially the butter and eggs. This way, they'll blend better and the cake will be fluffier.
• Utensils: It's also important to make sure you have all the necessary utensils, including a cake pan, an electric mixer, a sifter for cocoa powder and flour, and a spatula for mixing.
• Prep Time: Red Velvet cake takes some prep time, so make sure you have enough time to mix, bake, and decorate the cake.
• Food Coloring : Red food coloring is an essential ingredient in Red Velvet cake, so make sure you have enough food coloring to achieve the cake's signature red hue.

You might also be interested in making some red velvet pancakes, here's a video !

What is the best coloring for red velvet cake?

The coloring traditionally used in red velvet cake is red food coloring in paste or liquid form . However, it's important to note that the coloring used can vary depending on the brand and the amount used.

If you're looking for a specific colorant, I recommend looking for a good-quality gel or paste colorant that has a deep red and doesn't have an unpleasant taste. You can also try a natural alternative and try colorants like beet juice to achieve the desired red color.

It's important to keep in mind that the amount of colorant used will depend on the desired result and the specific recipe being used. It's always best to add the colorant little by little and test the mixture before adding more to achieve the desired shade.

What infusions go best with red velvet cake?

Since we love everything to match, I'm going to leave you below the best infusions to accompany this spectacular red velvet :

• Ginger tea: It has a spicy, earthy flavor that complements the smooth, velvety taste of red velvet tea. Ginger can also help stimulate digestion after a heavy meal.
• Black Tea: It has a strong, robust flavor that can complement the chocolate flavor in Red Velvet cake well.
• Berry tea: Its sweet and fruity flavor complements the cream cheese frosting on Red Velvet cake. Berry tea is also rich in antioxidants and may have heart health benefits.
• Vanilla Infusion: Vanilla has a soft, sweet flavor that complements the taste of red velvet cake well. A warm or cold vanilla infusion can be a delicious and comforting addition to the cake.
• A tip: In general, it's advisable to choose infusions that are smooth and aromatic, with flavors that complement but don't compete with the distinctive taste of red velvet cake .

Another way to accompany it: Champagne

Red velvet cake and champagne can be a delicious and elegant combination for a special celebration . So, here are some champagne suggestions you might consider pairing with the unique and distinctive flavor of red velvet:

• Rosé Champagne: It has a fruity, delicate flavor that complements the soft, velvety taste of Red Velvet. Plus, the champagne's pink color can make the pairing even more elegant.
• Demi-sec champagne: It also has a sweet and fruity flavor that complements the cream cheese frosting on a red velvet cake. In turn, the champagne's sweetness can balance the cake's acidity and soften its flavor.
• Brut Champagne: It has a dry, crisp flavor that complements the chocolate flavor in Red Velvet cake. Plus, brut champagne is a classic and elegant choice for any celebration.
• Another tip: it's advisable to choose a champagne with a balanced and complex flavor, but not too sweet or heavy, so as not to compete with the delicate taste of the Red Velvet cake. It's also important to serve the champagne chilled to fully enjoy its flavor and aroma.

Red velvet cake recipe

• Yields: 10/12 servings
• Preparation time: 1 hour and a quarter

Ingredients

For the cake

• 250 g unsalted butter
• 330 g of white sugar
• 10 g of red food coloring (gel or paste)
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon of natural vanilla essence
• 375 g of refined, unleavened flour 
• 35 gr of bitter cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 
• 370 ml sour milk (in the procedure I explain how to make it at home)
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda 
• 15 ml vinegar 

For the cheese topping

• 280 g unsalted butter at room temperature
• 280 g of talcum sugar or powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 600 gr of cream cheese

To decorate the cake

• Natural strawberries w/n

How to make Red Velvet Cake step by step

For sour milk

1. Place the milk and lemon juice in a bowl and mix with a wire whisk.

For the cake

1. Preheat the oven at 160 ° C.
2. Prepare 3 molds of 20 cm in diameter and 3 cm high with parchment paper on the base.
3. Place the butter in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until creamy.
4. Add the white sugar and coloring and beat until creamy.
5. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Add the vanilla extract. Mix.
6. In another bowl, sift the dry ingredients: flour and baking powder.
7. Add the dry ingredients and sour milk to the mixture alternately. Mix.
8. Add the baking soda to the vinegar. It will fizz. Stir into the mixture.
9. Divide the preparation and place it in the 3 baking dishes.
10. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
11. Let cool to room temperature. Set aside.

For the cream cheese topping

1. Place the softened butter (at room temperature) in a bowl.
2. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
3. Sift the powdered sugar, adding it to the bowl with the butter.
4. Beat again with an electric mixer until smooth. It's important that the mixture is well-blended and homogeneous.
5. Add the cream cheese, beating until fully integrated.

For the mounted 

1. Place a dot of cream cheese on the cake base to prevent the cakes from moving.
2. Unmold the cakes.
3. Place the first cake and top with a layer of cream cheese.
4. Place the second cake and another layer of cream cheese.
5. Place the last upside-down cake.
6. Cover the cake with the remaining cream cheese.
7. Decorate the cake with fresh strawberries.

IMPORTANT : You don't need 3 pans. You can bake the cakes one at a time, or you can also make a whole cake and cut it into 3 discs.